Google's New Ad Policy to Combat Deepfake Pornography

In a bid to protect its users from the dark side of AI, Google has announced a new ad policy to combat the promotion of deepfake pornography. Deepfake pornography refers to the use of artificial intelligence to manipulate or alter a person’s face or body in order to depict sexual scenes. This unethical tactic has become a growing concern, leading Google to take stern action against advertisers who associate with such sites.

Google’s updated ad policy explicitly targets “sites or apps that claim to generate deepfake pornography, instructions on how to create deepfake pornography, endorsing or comparing deepfake pornography services.” Advertisements falling within this category will be banned starting from May 30th, according to the company. Google spokesperson Michael Aciman emphasized the seriousness of violating this policy, stating, “We take violations of this policy very seriously and consider them egregious… If we find violations of this policy, we will suspend your Google Ads accounts upon detection and without prior warning, and you will not be allowed to advertise with us again.”

This move by Google comes in the wake of increasing concerns surrounding deepfakes and their impact on individuals, including teenagers. Los Angeles schools are warning parents about the circulation of deepfakes featuring students across various locations in California, such as Beverly Hills High School. Notably, even celebrities like Taylor Swift, Jenna Ortega, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have fallen victim to deepfake manipulation.

Deepfakes have the potential to deceive and harm individuals, leading to serious consequences for their personal lives and reputations. By implementing this stricter ad policy, Google is taking a proactive stance in combating the spread and promotion of deepfake pornography. However, it is worth noting that deepfake technology is constantly evolving, and efforts to combat its misuse are an ongoing battle.

Google’s decision to crack down on advertisers involved with deepfake pornography reflects the company’s commitment to user safety and ethical practices. This step sends a clear message that Google will not tolerate the promotion of harmful and deceptive content. As deepfakes continue to pose a threat in the online realm, it is crucial for internet giants like Google to take decisive action and work towards developing effective strategies to combat this growing problem.